Information transfer and fidelity in quantum copiers

We find that very different quantum copying machines are optimal depending on the indicator used to assess their performance. Several quantum copying machine models acting on non-orthogonal input states are investigated, and assessed according to two types of criteria: Transfer of (Shannon) information encoded in the initial states to the copies, and fidelity between the copies and the initial states. Transformations which optimise information transfer for messages encoded in qubits are found. If the message is decoded one symbol at-a-time, information is best copied by a Wootters-Zurek copier.Comment: 14 pages, 3 Figures, REVTeX. Accepted Physical Review A. Corrected minor grammatical error

On single-crystal neutron-diffraction in DACs: quantitative structure refinement of light elements on SNAP and TOPAZ

Quantitative single crystal neutron-diffraction in diamond anvil cells has so far been limited by the neutron flux available at the various neutron sources. As a result, highly precise measurements of the exact position of light elements have not been possible preventing, for example, structural studies of hydrogen and hydrogen bonds under pressure. Here we report experiments carried out on SNAP at the Spallation Neutron Source (ORNL, TN, USA) to explore the possibility and current limits of such studies. Furthermore, we benchmarked the obtained data quality with reference experiments carried out on TOPAZ, a dedicated single-crystal instrument.We show that measuring single-crystal diffraction intensities on SNAP is possible to such a precision that we are able to resolve the hydrogen bonds in potassium dideuterium phosphate (DKDP) as well as in ice VI

Effectiveness of recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor for treating deep second-degree burns: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionIt is uncertain whether treatment by recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) can promote healing of deep second-degree burns. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review and assess randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the efficacy and safety of rhGM-CSF for treating deep second-degree burns.MethodsThis meta-analysis conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline and Embase databases and relevant references were systematically searched for RCTs (published up to November 2019). Main outcome measures included the wound healing rate, wound healing time and average optical densities of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). We performed a meta-analysis using fixed or random effects models.ResultsSeven RCTs comprising 982 patients with 1184 burns (652 patients received rhGM-CSF vs 532 controls) were included. Compared with standard wound care alone, the use of rhGM-CSF significantly reduced wound healing time by 4.77 days (weighted mean difference=−4.77; 95% CI −6.45 to −3.09; p&lt;0.001) and significantly increased the wound healing rate on days 7, 10, 14 and 20 by 6.46%, 19.78%, 17.07% and 11.38%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in the wound healing rate on day 28 and average optical densities of VEGF and FGF. No systematic adverse event occurred. Redder, more swollen and painful wounds were reported after using rhGM-CSF compared with the control.ConclusionsrhGM-CSF could be effective and safe for treating deep second-degree burns.</jats:sec